Chainsaw sparks accidental fire at NJ home

MANALAPAN, N.J. (AP) — Authorities say a resident doing yard work accidentally started a fire that severely damaged a central New Jersey home.

No injuries were reported in the fire, which broke out shortly after 1 p.m. Saturday in Manalapan. But the extensive smoke and fire damage left the home uninhabitable.

Authorities tell the Asbury Park Press that the resident was working with a chainsaw and put it down on top of dry pine needles. The needles quickly caught fire, and the blaze spread to a nearby pine tree.

The tree was near the home’s gas meter, which caught fire, and the flames then spread to the home’s siding and attic before the fire was extinguished.